Synopsis: In Basic Immunology & Microbiology, students learn the basic properties of medically relevant bacteria, viruses and fungi and how these organism cause disease. The course covers basic aspects of microbiology, including bacterial structure and function, genetics, drug resistance, mechanisms of virulence, viral structure and viral replication. Several of the most important pathogens are covered in detail with emphasis on integrating the properties of the microbe, epidemiology and the mechanisms of pathogenesis.

Students in the course learn mechanisms of the body's immune resistance to infectious viruses and pathogenic bacteria. The course covers the structure of antibodies, the cellular mechanisms of response, and the genetic origin of the body's capacity to respond immunologically to an extraordinarily wide variety of foreign substances.

Competencies: In the process of completing this course, students acquire the following competencies:
● Describe basic structures, growth and physiology of microbes and recognize the different culture techniques necessary to grow and isolate various organisms.
● Understand how bacteria exchange genetic information, develop, and spread drug resistance.
● Correlate specific properties of microbes with the diseases they cause.

After completing this course, students acquire competence in understanding and answering questions on the following broad topics:
● General concepts regarding microbial pathogens as inducers of an immune response.
● The structure and function of antibody molecules and their reactions with antigens.
● The genetic changes occurring in antibody forming cells which lead to the capacity to respond immunologically to a wide diversity of antigens.
● Principles of normal and abnormal immune response.
● The structure, genetics and role in the immune response of histocompatibility antigens.
● The development and role of different leukocytes in the immune process, including tolerance to self.